Motions not on the Agenda

[Guest Stan]

If a board member wants to make a motion and the motion is not listed on the agenda, must a motion to "Amend the Agenda" be passed by a majority of board members before another motion may be presented?

[Rob Elsman]

Very carefully study RONR (12th ed.) §41.

[Josh Martin]

On 2/23/2023 at 12:10 PM, Guest Stan said:

If a board member wants to make a motion and the motion is not listed on the agenda, must a motion to "Amend the Agenda" be passed by a majority of board members before another motion may be presented?

So far as RONR is concerned, the member does not need to amend the agenda in order for the motion to be considered. But it might be a good idea. The alternative would be to make the motion under New Business after all business on the agenda is completed. But you run the risk of the board deciding to adjourn early. It would also be advisable to check if the organization has its own rules on this matter.

To the extent the member choose to amend the agenda, yes, amending the agenda while it is pending requires a majority vote.

Of course, so far as RONR is concerned, technically adopting an agenda is not required (or even recommended) for most assemblies, and they would do just fine using the Standard Order of Business in RONR instead. But the idea that the adoption of an agenda is required for every meeting of every assembly has become very widespread, despite the best efforts of Mr. Elsman and other members of this forum.

[Alicia Percell, PRP]

Or you could make a motion to suspend the rules so as to allow introduction of the desired motion.  That would require a 2/3 vote, though.

[J. J.]

 

On 2/23/2023 at 1:10 PM, Guest Stan said:

If a board member wants to make a motion and the motion is not listed on the agenda, must a motion to "Amend the Agenda" be passed by a majority of board members before another motion may be presented?

Where an agenda is applicable, the assembly adopts an agenda.  When pending, the agenda is fully amendable; it requires a majority of the members voting. The motion may added there as an amendment.

If the agenda has been adopted, the motion to Amend Something Previously Adopted is used.  That would require a 2/3 vote or a majority of the entire membership.

I am unclear to which situation you refer. 

[laser158689]

Beware of any applicable laws, too, especially open meetings laws or similar, if subject to them.

These often require publication of an agenda in advance and may require a super-majority to take up a non-agenda item.

Edited February 24, 2023 at 04:44 PM by laser158689

[Richard Brown]

On 2/24/2023 at 10:41 AM, laser158689 said:

Beware of any applicable laws, too, especially open meetings laws or similar, if subject to them.

These often require publication of an agenda in advance and may require a super-majority to take up a non-agenda item.

Open meetings laws (also known as sunshine laws) almost always apply only to public bodies such as city councils, zoning boards, school boards, etc.  They rarely apply to private non profit organizations.